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“No.” I grinned, loving the irritated twitch in her eye. Mary didn’t care about a lot of things, but she cared when I specifically kept secrets from her.

“Are you going on a date?” Mary pressed.

Something burned in my chest, wondering if I should tell her about Jacqueline.

No, I needed to talk with Jacqueline first. The last time we talked about it, she didn’t want Mary to know about us.

“If I was?” I looked around, wondering where my boots were.

“Then I could tell Victoria to get off my ass,” Mary sighed, “She’s been wondering if you’re lonely with just me here to keep you company.”

I finally found my boots, shoving my feet into them and tying the laces. I looked up at the two women, meeting Jamie’s curious glance. Just to fuck with them, I looked over at Mary and gave her a wink.

“You can tell her that I’mnotlonely.”

“Leopold!” Mary sat up from her seat on the couch.

“Still not my name,” I smirked as I stood tall to grab my helmet off their kitchen table.

“Are you seeing someone?” Mary’s dark brows rose, which was the last expression I saw before I turned toward the door and started my exit.

I threw up a lazy wave over my shoulder before calling out, “Until next time!” and closed the door behind me.

Mary’s muffled, “Oh my god,” was the last thing I heard before I made my way to the store.

* * *

JACQUELINE

Two very English women were speaking, and it took me a second to realize that their voices were coming from a device of some kind.

“Slowly, slowly!” One woman was cautiously instructing.

I quietly toed off my sneakers before following the sound. I had knocked on Leo’s door, but he never answered. I heard the sound of pots and pans echoing on the other side, so I tested the knob. I had an aversion to doorbells and avoided using them at all costs. Plus, if Leo was busy, I had a feeling he wouldn’t be too irritated with me letting myself in.

His apartment was…much nicer than mine.

I suddenly felt guilty that we had spent so much time in mine. My building wasn’t terrible, in fact, I considered it very nice for someone like me who was single and barely in her thirties. His, however, was a step or two above. I realized right then and there, taking in the modern lines and light, and the warm wooden floors, that Leo was in a very different tax bracket than I was.

He even had large art prints on his walls and warm abstract paintings that felt welcoming.

I turned the corner, finding an open-concept space that revealed an updated kitchen, island, and dining area. Off near the far end of the room was the living space, with a black leather sectional couch and fluffy area rug.

Standing at the island, with an iPad propped up, pouring chocolate onto a pan, was Leo.

“Slowly!” One woman repeated.

“Iknow,” Leo smiled as he replied, keeping his eyes on the chocolate pouring from the bowl.

I slowly stepped into the space; my eyes glued to the pan with parchment paper underneath. Leo was currently pouring what looked like chocolate kisses.

He wasmakingthem, filling molds with chocolate.

“You can never be too careful,” another British woman replied from the iPad. Leo chuckled before turning his back to me to set the chocolate bowl aside. His apartment had a variety of smells. There was something in the oven, which I assumed was where the garlic and salty smell was coming from. But the smell of freshly poured chocolate was added to it.

It made my stomach growl.

“Are you making kisses?” I asked, taking a few steps closer to the chocolate molds to get a better look.